HIV diagnosis and sexual risk behavior intentions among couple VCT clients in Ethiopia

Abstract

This research examines whether members of HIV affected couples are more likely to change their abstinence and condom intentions than members of HIV− couples during couple voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). 1,260 couple VCT clients in Ethiopia were asked about their sexual risk behavior intentions for the next two months after pre-test and post-test counseling. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine whether the couple’s HIV status was associated with changed intentions to abstain or use condoms between pre-test and post-test. Individuals belonging to male HIV+ serodiscordant couples (aRRR= 7.98, p<0.001), female HIV+ serodiscordant couples (aRRR=5.85, p<0.001), and HIV+ concordant couples (aRRR=3.12, p=0.05) were more likely to have increased their intentions to abstain or use condoms in the next two months than individuals in HIV− concordant relationships. The couple’s HIV status was not associated with decreased intentions to abstain or use condoms in the next two months. Counseling for all HIV affected couples should include practical information on obtaining and using condoms. This includes HIV affected couples who intend to abstain from sex, whether for a short or long period of time, so that they are prepared to have protected sex if their intentions change.

HIV sero-discordance among married HIV patients initiating anti-retroviral therapy in northern Vietnam

“…This may explain the counterintuitive result that patients with known HIV infection for more than 2 years had a higher sero-discordance rate than patients with known infection less than 2 years. Early HIV detection through sentinel surveillance or VCT before development of severe immunosuppression or indication for ART might sensitise the patients to preventive measures such as condom use or abstinence, as shown in a study from Ethiopia [10]. In Dong Trieu, where no sentinel surveillance activities or VCT were available until 2002 compared to 1995 in Ha Long City, the sero-concordance rate was significantly higher.…”

Barriers and Facilitators for HIV Testing Practice Among Ethiopian Women Aged 15-24 years: Analysis of the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

“…1,2 In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), young and adolescent are particularly vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections; of all youth women living with HIV worldwide, 80% of women live in SSA. [3][4][5] In 2017, the national HIV prevalence in Ethiopia was estimated to be 1.16%. 6 Currently, in Ethiopia, 62% of the total people living with HIV (PLHIV) were female.…”